US10845023B2 - Vehicle lamp light blocking - Google Patents

Vehicle lamp light blocking Download PDF

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Publication number
US10845023B2
US10845023B2 US16/572,997 US201916572997A US10845023B2 US 10845023 B2 US10845023 B2 US 10845023B2 US 201916572997 A US201916572997 A US 201916572997A US 10845023 B2 US10845023 B2 US 10845023B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
light
projection lens
vehicle lamp
lens
lamp assembly
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Active
Application number
US16/572,997
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English (en)
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US20200088380A1 (en
Inventor
David Bjarne Hansen
Ronie George
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Flex N Gate Advanced Product Development LLC
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Flex N Gate Advanced Product Development LLC
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Priority to US16/572,997 priority Critical patent/US10845023B2/en
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Publication of US20200088380A1 publication Critical patent/US20200088380A1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/13—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S43/14—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/2696—Mounting of devices using LEDs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B60Q1/503—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/13—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S43/15—Strips of light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/19—Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
    • F21S43/195—Details of lamp holders, terminals or connectors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235—Light guides
    • F21S43/236—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide
    • F21S43/239—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide plate-shaped
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235—Light guides
    • F21S43/242—Light guides characterised by the emission area
    • F21S43/245—Light guides characterised by the emission area emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/235—Light guides
    • F21S43/249—Light guides with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/255—Filters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/26—Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/30—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/40—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/50—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/50—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
    • B60Q1/507—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking specific to autonomous vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
    • B60R13/005—Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
    • F21W2102/40—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes the light being emitted to facilitate access to the vehicle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2103/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for signalling purposes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2104/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for decorative purposes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D1/00—Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
    • G05D1/02—Control of position or course in two dimensions
    • G05D1/021—Control of position or course in two dimensions specially adapted to land vehicles

Definitions

  • Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to the field of light assemblies for use in vehicles. More specifically, embodiments of this disclosure include inks applied to light assemblies for achieving desired lighting effects.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,804,418 to Sullivan et al. discloses a light assembly for a vehicle that includes a lens having one or more ink markings. At least a portion of the ink marking is configured such that it appears generally opaque to a viewer when unlit, while appearing translucent when lit by a light source.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,718 to Egashira discloses an automotive lamp having a polarizing film or layer provided on a lamp cover. Fine textured structures of the film enable color variations between lit and unlit conditions.
  • a vehicle lamp assembly includes a light source for producing light, an inner lens that receives light from the light source and redirects the light, a projection lens that receives light from the inner lens and shapes light for projecting from a vehicle lamp assembly, and a light blocking material applied to a surface of the projection lens for partially blocking light emitted from the projection lens to alter an appearance of the vehicle lamp assembly.
  • a vehicle lamp in another embodiment, includes one or more LEDs mounted to a printed circuit board for producing light.
  • An inner lens is coupled to the one or more LEDs for receiving light such that light enters along an edge of the inner lens and propagates through the inner lens via total-internal reflection before exiting.
  • a projection lens is oriented adjacent the inner lens such that the projection lens receives light from the inner lens and projects the light from the vehicle lamp.
  • a light blocking material is applied to at least a portion of the projection lens for altering an appearance of light emitted from the projection lens.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a vehicle lamp assembly, in an embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle lamp assembly of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of the vehicle lamp assembly of FIG. 1 with portions removed for viewing internal components;
  • FIG. 4A is a front view of a vehicle lamp assembly in an unlit state, in an embodiment
  • FIG. 4B is a front view of the vehicle lamp assembly of FIG. 4A in a lit state
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the vehicle lamp assembly of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the vehicle lamp assembly of FIG. 5 .
  • Visual effects may be incorporated into a light assembly for use on an exterior of a vehicle in a variety of ways.
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure incorporate one or more coatings on lenses to prevent light transfer or allow partial light transfer from the light assemblies.
  • the resulting projections provide custom lit appearances, for example, of varying intensity, texture, and/or color. Additionally, the projections may be used for satisfying vehicle lamp legal functions, welcome functions, autonomous driving functions, and/or logo functions.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary vehicle lamp assembly 100 showing a stack-up of parts.
  • a light source 110 includes, for example, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).
  • the LEDs may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) such that each of the one or more LEDs is individually controllable for turning on/off and dimming (e.g., via pulse width modulation).
  • the LEDs may emit a colored light or white light.
  • light emitted from light source 110 is introduced into an inner lens 115 along an edge (e.g., along a top edge of inner lens 115 , as depicted in FIG. 1 ).
  • inner lens 115 is a micro optic lens in which light propagates through the micro optic lens via total-internal reflection (TIR), and frustrated light exits the micro optic lens from a façade. In some embodiments, more than one inner lens may be used. The one or more inner lenses 115 are disposed adjacent a projection lens 120 such that light exiting the one or more inner lenses 115 illuminates the projection lens 120 .
  • TIR total-internal reflection
  • Projection lens 120 is adapted for shaping light.
  • projection lens 120 may be adapted for collimating light or shaping light in one or more directions (e.g., horizontal and/or vertical directions).
  • Projection lens 120 may be a molded plastic part embedded in a frame 125 .
  • projection lens 120 and frame 125 are formed as a single part using a two-shot injection molding process.
  • frame 125 forms a bezel, which may be transparent (e.g., clear) or opaque.
  • Projection lens 120 and frame 125 may include coatings of light blocking paint or ink and/or semi-transparent paint or ink, as further described below.
  • a badge 130 faces the exterior of the vehicle lamp 100 .
  • Badge 130 may be fixed (e.g., welded, latched, or adhered with adhesive) directly to projection lens 120 , or alternatively, an optional sealing gasket 135 may be disposed between badge 130 and projection lens 120 .
  • Badge 130 is for example a plastic part for displaying a marking (e.g., a logo, design, emblem, geometric shape, graphic, text, etc.).
  • the plastic part includes a surface treatment (e.g., a chromed plastic part).
  • Badge 130 may include open portions for allowing light from projection lens 120 to pass through.
  • housing 140 is disposed adjacent inner lens 115 .
  • housing 140 is formed of a white material (e.g., a white resin material) adapted to substantially increase light output from light source 110 by reflecting light that exits inner lens 115 . Specifically, light that exits inner lens 115 away from projection lens 120 is redirected back towards projection lens 120 .
  • housing 140 includes a reflector made of a reflective material for reflecting light towards projection lens 120 .
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of vehicle lamp assembly 100 , FIG. 1 .
  • the front view as depicted in FIG. 2 represents the appearance of lamp 100 from outside a vehicle in an unlit state (in other words, light source 110 is off), with badge 130 , sealing gasket 135 , and frame 125 visible. Portions of projection lens 120 are visible through open portions of badge 130 .
  • Lamp assembly 100 may be mounted directly to a vehicle exterior, or it may be mounted inside another exterior lamp assembly, or it may be mounted on the outside of another exterior lamp assembly.
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of vehicle lamp assembly 100 with badge 130 and gasket 135 removed.
  • a light blocking material is applied to portions of projection lens 120 to form light blocking portions 123 , which may include one or more light block paints or inks for substantially blocking light from inner lens 115 .
  • light blocking portions 123 may include one or more semitransparent paints or inks for partially blocking or dimming light.
  • the semitransparent paints or inks may be applied in one or more layers for providing different colors and/or different levels of transparency.
  • the light blocking material 123 is adapted to filter light from light source 110 thereby permitting light within a certain range of wavelengths to pass.
  • light source 110 and inner lens 115 may provide a white light source and the light blocking material 123 may be used to produce a certain color emitted from projection lens 120 .
  • light blocking portions 123 include a textured coating so as to create a textured appearance on the outside of projection lens 120 .
  • the textured appearance may have the appearance of a fabric material such that projection lens 120 appears to include a backlit fabric when illuminated.
  • the fabric-like pattern may be applied using a printing technique, such as pad printing for example, as further described below.
  • Textured appearances may also be applied by via a tool (e.g., during molding).
  • the tool may itself have a textured surface that gets transferred during molding. Textured surfaces may be formed on a steel mold by blasting (e.g., with beads of sand) or by applying corrosive acids to eat away at the finished steel surface.
  • Projection lens 120 may be coated with one or more light block paints or inks using any process known in the art, such as pad printing, screen printing, hydrographic printing, painting, holography, or jet printing.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,804,418 to Sullivan et al. provides an exemplary pad printing process for applying ink to lighting assemblies.
  • Either the inner surface of projection lens 120 or the outer surface of projection lens 120 or both surfaces may be coated with light blocking material. Coating inner surface of projection lens 120 is more effective for reducing light bleed from or to other lit areas.
  • three-dimensional (3D) appearances may be formed using combinations of transparent light blocking material or combinations of transparent and opaque light blocking material applied to inner and outer surfaces of projection lens 120 based on a thickness of projection lens 120 .
  • multi-color fabric lit appearances may be formed using combinations of semi-transparent light blocking material applied to either inner or outer surfaces of projection lens 120 or to both inner and outer surfaces of projection lens 120 .
  • inner portions of frame 125 may be partially coated with light blocking material.
  • Portions of projection lens 120 may be omitted from covering with light blocking material.
  • portions of projection lens 120 without light blocking material are indicated as unblocked portions 124 .
  • the blocked and unblocked portions of projection lens 120 may be adapted for altering a pattern and appearance of light emitted from projection lens 120 .
  • an image set is used to create a pattern of light blocking.
  • An image set may be a series of images layered on top of one another. The image set may be transferred onto projection lens 120 via any suitable method such as pad printing.
  • frame 125 is coated with an opaque light blocking material, and portions of projection lens 120 are coated with a semi-transparent light blocking material 123 , while unblocked portions 124 allow light to substantially pass.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B show portions of vehicle lamp assembly 100 in an unlit state ( FIG. 4A ) and a lit state ( FIG. 4B ).
  • the unlit state is achieved when light source 110 is off and the lit state is achieved when light source 110 is on.
  • Badge 130 is positioned in front of projection lens 120 .
  • Projection lens 120 includes light blocking portions 123 and unblocked portions 124 (not all portions are enumerated in FIGS. 4A and 4B for clarity of illustration).
  • the unblocked portions 124 are shaped to outline badge 130 such that the badge is highlighted by light penetrating through unblocked portions 124 when lit.
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of vehicle lamp assembly 100 .
  • badge 130 and the underlying projection lens 120 may have a curved or dome-like shape extending in a direction of light propagation.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of projection lens 120 showing an inner surface 121 and an outer surface 122 . Either inner surface 121 or outer surface 122 or both surfaces of projection lens 120 may be coated with light blocking material.
  • Vehicle lamp assembly 100 may be used to prevent light transfer or allow partial light transfer to provide unique lit appearances, intensity, and color variations.
  • vehicle lamp assembly with light blocking 100 is adapted for providing signals to occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, roadway sensors, and/or autonomous driving signals.
  • Vehicle lamp assembly with light blocking 100 may provide vehicle lamp legal functions, welcome functions, autonomous driving signaling, and/or logo functions using static and/or dynamic effects.
  • the intensity and color variations that are projected may be used with static and/or dynamic effect based on whether the vehicle is parked or moving.
  • the color and intensity of light emitted may be subject to domestic and international vehicle lamp regulations for legal portions of the lamps assemblies, which may affect design of the light assemblies. For example, vehicle brake light assemblies must provide a specific total illumination surface area and illumination intensity.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
US16/572,997 2018-09-17 2019-09-17 Vehicle lamp light blocking Active US10845023B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16/572,997 US10845023B2 (en) 2018-09-17 2019-09-17 Vehicle lamp light blocking

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US201862732279P 2018-09-17 2018-09-17
US16/572,997 US10845023B2 (en) 2018-09-17 2019-09-17 Vehicle lamp light blocking

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US10845023B2 true US10845023B2 (en) 2020-11-24

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EP (1) EP3853068B1 (de)
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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11608957B1 (en) 2022-02-11 2023-03-21 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. Inc. Vehicle exterior optical device having molded plastic device to control lighting output

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2024100224A1 (en) * 2022-11-10 2024-05-16 Valeo Vision Luminous device for a motor vehicle

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WO2009042252A1 (en) 2007-09-28 2009-04-02 Intematix Corporation Led signal lamp
US20110052839A1 (en) * 2009-09-03 2011-03-03 Joel Thomas Pierce Showcase display badge
WO2016191321A1 (en) 2015-05-22 2016-12-01 Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, Llc Lit image projection lamp and method
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WO2020060979A1 (en) 2020-03-26

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